FAQ · v15.0.0
Quick answers about the Academy, career credentials, loadouts and operations.
Ghostline connects structured cybersecurity learning to contained operations, evidence-led closeouts and a persistent operator economy.
What is Ghostline?
A browser cyber-ops RPG with an Applied Skills Academy, scoped target systems, console and Tool Bench workflows, GhostMail, GhostBank, evidence, contracts and seasons.
Are the Academy courses useful outside the game?
Yes. The 18 courses teach transferable fundamentals with field methods, worked analysis, practical evidence deliverables and primary references from NIST, OWASP, MITRE, CISA, Microsoft, Nmap and Wireshark.
Do lessons include practical work?
Yes. Every lesson links to a configured exercise. Classic opens it in a separate browser tab; Desktop opens the same exercise as an in-game window. Both use the same server-owned course and tool state.
Can I click through a course for a skill?
No. Every lesson has a topic-specific checked question, answer order varies, and the final assessment requires at least 85% mastery. A course awards its linked skill only once.
What is a Ghostline career credential?
It is a portfolio record earned by mastering every course in a career track and meeting its completed-operation capstone. The server issues the record and verifies its integrity.
Are credentials public automatically?
No. New credentials are private by default. The operator must explicitly publish one before its code or verification link works publicly, and can make it private again later.
Is it an accredited certification?
No. It confirms achievement inside Ghostline and can support a learning portfolio, but it does not claim third-party accreditation, professional licensure or employer endorsement.
Does inventory gear affect gameplay?
Yes. Equipped items can influence relevant preparation time, command noise, heat, evidence quality, effective skills and contract rewards. Effects are bounded and calculated by the server.
Is gear pay-to-win?
No. Only one item in each of four operational slots contributes, bonuses are deliberately limited, and no item replaces route knowledge, assessment mastery or valid evidence.
How do optional purchases work?
When checkout is enabled, Ghostline sends the player to PayFast. Prices come from the server catalog, and an entitlement is granted only after signature, source, amount and provider server-confirmation checks pass. Card details never pass through Ghostline.
Does Ghostline use advertising cookies?
Necessary session and security cookies keep the platform working. Public-page AdSense is held behind advertising consent, and Cookie settings can be reopened from the footer or Cookie Policy page.
Where are privacy and data-rights details?
The public footer links to Terms, Privacy, Cookie Policy, Data Rights, Billing and Contact pages. Data-rights requests can cover access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, portability or consent withdrawal.
Do Classic and Desktop play differently?
The interfaces are maintained separately, but both use the same server-authoritative skills, inventory, contracts, receipts, heat, evidence and progression.
Do new players get guidance?
Yes. SBX-001 introduces the platform surfaces and first complete operation before the wider contract board opens.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Ghostline runs in a modern web browser.